Not all leaders wear badges

There are many facets to being a student ‘leader’ at Wesley, which is why students are encouraged to be leaders in their everyday lives as well as in leadership roles.

Year 4 students at Wesley were recently asked which qualities they believe make a good leader. They identified the following top attributes. A good leader is:

• principled
• honest and caring
• courageous
• open-minded
• a good listener.

These qualities are not unique to the adult leaders who represent large groups or organisations, as the students are discovering; even without a formal leadership position, they can model the qualities of leaders they admire and lead through their everyday actions.

As part of their IB Primary Years Program, Year 4 students explore the transdisciplinary theme ‘Who we are’ and the central idea that ‘The way a leader serves a community is determined by their attributes’. In Term 1 this year, Year 4 students from each of our three campuses attended a special leadership day, hosted at the Glen Waverley Campus. The aim of the day was to remind students that leadership is an action, not a position, and that not all leaders wear a badge.

‘I used to think leadership was being the head of a group. Now I think that leaders are people who inspire others and raise awareness.’ Minh, Year 4 Leader

Students were introduced to the attributes of leadership and started their own self-examination of their own attributes. For many students, the highlight was the opportunity to ask a panel of Year 9 Middle School Captains about leadership, helping the younger students build a more realistic picture of a formal leadership role.

‘Leadership day helped me understand that everyone can be a leader, even if they don’t get elected to a position.’ Tessa, Year 4

As the eldest students in Junior School, there are formal leadership opportunities available to Year 4 students. To apply for these portfolio positions, they write and present speeches to their classmates. While individual students are selected for the roles and assist within the portfolio, all students are recognised as leaders of the Junior School at the leadership assembly.

There are many facets to being a ‘leader’ at Wesley and regardless of position, students are encouraged to lead through their actions.

‘I have learnt that leaders don’t have to be just one special person because anyone can be a leader.’ William, Year 4

The lesson of the day was supported by a social leadership workshop presented by Project Rockit, which was started by sisters Lucy Thomas OAM (OW2000) and Rosie Thomas OAM (OW2003). Students were reminded of the courage and leadership they possess and that they can use to stand up to bullying, hate and prejudice instead of standing by and watching.

These learning days set the tone for Junior students, and articulate the expectations we have for our student leaders as they influence and serve the Junior School. There will be many more opportunities to reflect and many more chances to lead, and as Shala in Year 4 says, ‘I started to realise that being a leader isn’t just about leading a community, it’s taking responsibility for the community’s problems and queries as well as handling the things you want to do.’

Project Rockit’s website and YouTube channel include a wide range of resources on standing up to bullying, staying connected while learning from home and more.